Everyone’s favourite “idiot” Karl Pilkington will be back on UK screens this September.

The Ricky Gervais/Stephen Merchant-produced SKY1 show has been a phenomenal success since it premiered last year.

It has been sold to many countries including the US and Australia where it airs on Ten’s multi-channel One.

It has become a cult hit around the world.

Karl Pilkington of course rose to prominence under the tutelage, or prodding, of Gervais and Merchant on their Xfm Radio Show. The trio then went on to record five series of their record-breaking (or should that be record “making”) podcast. They have also recorded two series of audio-books, or “Guide tos”, as well as charity specials.

In the first series of An Idiot Abroad, Karl visited the seven wonders of the world. In the second series, Karl will carry out various activities found on many people’s “Bucket list”, hence why it will be called “An Idiot Abroad: The Bucket List”.

There will be 8 episodes in this series – three trips have already been completed with four more to come. The last part will likely be another homecoming special.

Karl has been notorious for hating most of his trips, and this series has been no different, with Gervais making mention of Karl’s displeasure with various activities set up for him.

It took a great deal of persuading to get Karl to agree to a second series, so let’s hope this isn’t the last series, just the first of many more to come!

Carrell, fresh from wrapping up his tenure on the US version of The Office after seven seasons with the show, is likely paying back a favour to Gervais and Merchant, who were responsible for providing the show which launched his career.

They are obviously good friends, with numerous skits being played out over the years, including this one

However, this marks the first time that Carrell has appeared in a show that Gervais and Merchant have written exclusively.

It also adds to the sizeable role-call of celebrities lining up to be a part of Gervais’ new series, as it stands, the show will feature Johnny Depp, Les Dennis, “Cheggars” (Keith Chegwin) and Barry off Eastenders (Shaun Williamson). The last three appeared in Gervais and Merchant’s last series Extras.

Gervais also teases the possibility of more big-name guest-stars including “…another big face from The Office… And something for Dr Who fans.”

The series is certainly shaping up to be massive in terms of guest-stars, making it similar to Extras in that sense (Gervais has described it as a cross between Extras and The Office).

Extras was unique in its ability to take pre-conceived notions of how celebrities were meant to act and often presented inverted or exaggerated versions of them, to great effect.

However, Gervais maintains that the theme of that show was finding your true self and doing something in life which you felt proud of or gave you fulfilment, which certainly shone through.

Time will tell whether the pair will be able to create another similarly layered masterpiece.